California Proposition 65 – A Notice to California Consumers

California's Proposition 65 entitles California consumers to special warnings for products that contain chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm if those products expose consumers to such chemicals above certain threshold levels. Proposition 65 is an expansive law that applies to any company operating in California, selling products in California, or manufacturing products that may be sold in or brought into California . Proposition 65 is a unique California-only “right to know” law that requires products sold in California to bear warning notices about potential exposure to any of the over 800 substances listed by the state. In practical application, Proposition 65 warnings are required for virtually any product of any kind that exposes an individual in California to virtually any detectable amount of a listed chemical. No other state has a law similar to Proposition 65, requiring warnings for listed chemicals contained in products at levels that are far below levels known to cause any harm. Many plants, plant extracts, and minerals used in dietary products may contain trace levels of lead, a chemical listed under Proposition 65, because lead is found naturally in the soils in which these ingredients are grown. Quite often, the exposure levels established by Proposition 65 can be less than what occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, fish and other foods that are part of a regular diet. Trace amounts of lead listed under California’s Proposition 65 are found in some of even the most carefully selected and sourced ingredients contained in our supplements. Lead is a naturally occurring element that is found throughout the entire environment, including in soils, where it can be taken up by natural plants and herbs all over the world. The list of chemicals in Proposition 65 includes a wide variety of chemicals that can be found in many everyday items, such as food-additives, drugs, coffee, solvents, dyes, dietary supplements, and others. The list contains 800-plus chemicals that the California Air Resources Board considers harmful, many of which have been used in everyday consumer items for years without documented harm. In many instances, the exposure levels determined by Proposition 65 are lower than what occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, grains and drinking water. For example, levels normally present in Brussels sprouts, boiled spinach, wine, avocados, watermelon and cucumbers normally naturally exceed the Proposition 65 levels. Like many other supplement companies, we have chosen to provide Proposition 65 warnings rather than endure lawsuits to prove in court that any listed chemicals contained in our supplements are naturally occurring. Note that the Governor of California has proposed reforms to end abusive Proposition 65 lawsuits: http://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18026. This information is provided in compliance with Proposition 65 and is intended to help with your buying decisions.

In addition to nutrition supplements, herbs and botanicals, California stipulates the following warnings for these additional categories:

Fresh Fruits, Nuts, and Vegetables

WARNING: This product may contain a chemical or chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, or birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Coffee and Some Roasted Nuts, Baked Goods and Snack Foods

WARNING: Chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm, including acrylamide, are present in coffee and some roasted nuts, baked goods and snack foods such as chips. Acrylamide is not added to these products, but results naturally from the roasting, baking or cooking process. The FDA has not advised people to stop consuming foods that are fried, roasted, or baked. For more information regarding the FDA's views, visit www.fda.gov.

Canned and Bottled Foods and Beverages

WARNING: Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to the State of California to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information go to: www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/BPA.

Beauty Products

WARNING: This product contains progesterone, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer. Consult with your physician before using this product.

Alcoholic Beverages, Including, Without Limitation, Beer, Malt, Beverages, Wine, and Distilled Spirits

WARNING: Drinking Distilled Spirits, Beer, Coolers, Wine and Other Alcoholic Beverages May Increase Cancer Risk, and, During Pregnancy, Can Cause Birth Defects.

Tools

WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:

• lead from lead-based paints,

• crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry products, and

• arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber.

Your risk from exposure to these chemicals varies, depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure, work in a well-ventilated area and with approved safety equipment, such as dust masks that are specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.

Lead Crystal Glasses

WARNING: Consuming foods or beverages that have been kept or served in leaded crystal products will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. This warning does not apply to Baccarat decanters, flacons, stoppered pitchers, and mustard and jam pots.

Ceramic Tableware

WARNING: Use of this tableware will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Jewelry and Tiffany Style Lamps

WARNING: This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Electrical Cords

WARNING: The wires of this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Motor Vehicles

WARNING: Motor vehicles contain fuel, oils and fluids, battery posts, terminals and related accessories which contain lead and lead compounds and other chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm. These chemicals are found in vehicles, vehicle parts and accessories, both new and as replacements. When being serviced, these vehicles generate used oil, waste fluids, grease, fumes and particulates, all known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm.